Automatic selector-switch



F. M. SLOUGH'. 7 AUTOMATIC SELECTOR SWITCH.

APPLICAI D NOV 5 1917 1 ,363,365 Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

I 2 EEEEEEEEEEEE l- WJKXMTL F. M. SLOUGH. AUTOMATIC SELECTOR SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5. I917. 1,363,365. Patented D60. 28, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED TA-res.

PATENT OFFICE.

mum: m. spouses, or aocims'rnn, NEW Yonx, ABSIGNOB 1'0 'rnnfsrnomnnm- CABLSON TELEPHONE umumcruame courm, or nocnasmna, NEw YORK, A conromvrroiv or NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SELEOTOBrSiITI'I-GH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Decl 28, 1920.

i To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, FRANK M. SLOUGH; a

Rochester inthe county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic- Selector-Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to a telephone switch, and is particularly designed for use as a line switch, or trunk finder switch; although obviously it may be used for many other purposes.

The invention particularly relates to a switch of the cross-bar type in which groups of intersecting bars are provided, and whereby the conjoint action of a bar of one group with that of another group is arranged to cause inter-engagement between sets of terminal contacts, the same being in the form of contact springs mounted in a bank. 1

- One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a simple switch structure of the and a corresponding above type, by means of which the connection' of lines will be accomplished with rapidity and certainty, and wherem the parts will be readily maintained in their adjusted positions.

Another object is the provision of a structure of this kind which can be cheaply manufactured and inexpensively maintained in operation.

connections in such a way that the electrical contacts will be accompanied by a wiping of the contact surfaces that they may be kept clean.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses. I g

In order to facilitate the explanation and understanding of this invention, itwill now be described as a line switch or trunk finder, and assuch, might be arranged to serve, for example, a group of 100 subscribers lines roup of trunk lines, ordinarily lessin num r, and commonly of from 10 to 20% of the number of subscrib ers lines. It is, of course, obvious that in the following description,'the terms incoming lines and outgoing lines might be substituted ,for lines or subscribers lines, and trunk lines, respectively.

The embodiment of the apparatus herein disclosed comprises two sets of longitudinally movable bars or shafts and means whereby the sa1d bars may be longitudinally d splaced to release, what I call a plug carriage at the intersection of the displaced hue and trunk bars.

The plug carriage referred to contains insulated metallic plugs carried at one extremity thereof, each adapted tofplunge when the plug carriage is released between a pair of ack sprlngs mounted in an insulating bank;

For a more complete description of the device, reference is now made to the drawings in which igure 1, shows an isometric VIEW, of the switch with parts broken away for the sake of exposing other operative parts. Only three plug carriages are shown in Fig 1, the others being merely indicated in various ways; but it will be understood that the other plug carriages not shown are like the illustrated plug carriages and operated in the same way.

Fig. 2 shows a plan and elevation of one of such plug carriages, together with certain associated parts which control the operation of the plug carriage. The plug carriage illustrated in Fig. 2, is shown partly in sec tion for the sake of a better understanding of the construction of the same.

Fig. 3 shows a plan and elevation illus- {rating Such a 111 Carria e and associated Another object is to make the aforesaidc" p g elements in the position which they would assume when'another plug carriage in the same vertical row has been previously operated, such asthe plug carriage of Fig. 3, the plug carriage of Fig. 4 being shown in its 'unoperated barred condition, that is, in the condition wherein it is prevented from operating by the previous'operation of the other plug carriage in the same vertical row, as for instance, the plug carriage of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the figures in all of which like reference numerals are used to designate like parts, and referring particularly to Fig. 1 reference being, however, also had to the other figures for the sake of better understanding the disclosure of Fig. 1; at AR and BR, I show horizontal line bars,

and each trunk electromagnet being individual to a given trunk, or outgoin line. Plug carriages AC and AP, BC and P are arranged at the intersection of the line and trunk bars. B the conjoint action of a line bar, such as A and a trunk bar, such as D, the plug carriage AC adjacent to the-intersection thereof will be released, and will under the propelling action of the spring PS plunge the plug contacts 2, 3 and 4, be-

- tween the jack springs 5 and 6, 7 and 8, and

| a PM 4 9 and 10, to interconnect the line springs 5, 7 and 9 of a set of springs to the trunk springs 6, 7 and 10 of the set of springs. The plugs 2, 3 and 4 are each mounted in an insulating block Y, each plug being insulated from the other and having no terminal wires connected thereto. The jack springs are mounted in a bank to cooperate with the plugs above mentioned. Like springs in the same vertical row are shown connected in multiple, and like line springs in the same horizontal row are also shown connected in multiple. Like trunk jack springs in the same vertical row are preferably stamped from a single sheet of metal, in which case the multiple connection between these jack springs is taken care of without additional connecting wires. The multiple connections between the line jack springs would be taken care of by means of conducting wires, such as CW.

The release of the plug carriage in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings is accomplished in the following way At AP in Figs. 1 and 2, I show the plug carriage in its normal or unope'rated position. At AK, I show key-pins carried by the line bar AR, and which normally rest in the extension 2 of the slot Z. As shown in Fig. 1, however, the line bar AR is shown displaced from normal position to its operative position by the energization of the line electromagnet AM, as for instance, due to the subscriber taking his receiver from the hook. Therefore, instead of the key pin AK locking the line bars of the calling line, the key pins of this line bar unlock all of the plug carriages, as for instance, AC and AP associated with the calling line. If the line bar were not operated, the key pins AK resting in the extension 2 of the slots Z would prevent these plu carriages, AC and AP, from operating. The plug carriage is now prevented from operating'by the turned edge of the slot in the plug carriage resting against the side of the extension of the collar C. This collar is securely fastened to the trunk bar E, and is constructed with an extended portion y forthe above purpose and other purposes to be described.

Now, in the switch of my inventlon, the line bar having operated, a subsequent operation of a trunk bar, such as the trunk bar D, will complete the unlocking of the plug carriage, and the plug carriage will then be propelled by its propelling springs PS to a position wherein the plug contacts 2, 3 and 4t will engage the jack springs 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, as before mentioned. Such an operated plug carriage is shown at A0. After the operation of this plu carriage the circuit of the line ma net ATVI will be opened, and the sprin LS will thereupon restore the line bar A to its normal position, restoring the key pin AK of the unoperated plug carriages associated with the line of the slot extensions Z thereof, thus locking these plug carriages in their unoperated ositions, but in the case of the key pin'AI associated with the operated plug carriage, this will now come to rest at the point to of the slot Z.

The V shaped turned edge of the slot in the plug carriage T now is projected between the box like extension 3 of the collar C mounted on the trunk rod and the box like collar N which is slidably mounted on the trunk rod. This member N, is capable of being lifted a certain distance on the trunk rod D against the power of the coiled spring S. Therefore, the trunk rod being longitudinally displaced by the trunk magnet DM and the V shaped edge, projecting under this box-like yieldingly secured collar, and. the downward motion of the trunk rod continuing, the box like collar N will be held stationary, while the motion of its carryin rod D continues. Finally the trunk rod 1% and the collar associated therewith attains the position shown in the drawings of Fig. 3, which shows a plan and elevation of such a fully operated plug carriage. 7

The plug carnage BC is located in the same vertical row as the plug carriage AC and is served by the same trunk rod D. When the trunk rod D was depressed, the plug carriage BC, however, maintained its unoperated osition due to the fact that the key pin A1 of line bar BR associated with this plug carriage prevented the movement there-of, since this line bar belonging to a different line was not operated and the kev pin AK rested within the extension 2 of the slot Z, in the plug carriage BC.

The parts referred to, namely, the slot Z g 1,808,305 Y c and key in AK, arenot ca able of being seen in t e yiew shown in ig. 1, due to their being hldden by the plug carriage-AP. Such a lug carriage is illustrated in detail in the views of Fig. 4, showing a plan and elevation of such a barred plug carriage.

ere-

The plug carriage BC bein held t fore, during the 0 eration of t e trunk bar by its key pin A is thereafter prevented fromoperating by the turned edge of the plug carriage, engaging the side a of the yieldingly secured box like structure N which is associated with this plug carriage, that is, the other unoperated plug carriages in the same vertical row as an operated plug carriage will be thus thereafter during the connection period prevented from operating, even though other line bars may thereafter be operated in response to a subsequent call over other associated subscribers lines. This is to prevent two lines being connected to the same trunk after the trunk has been connected to one of the lines.

When used as a line switch, I prefer to operate the switch of my invention in such a manner that a subscriber in making a call will first displace his line bar by energizing his line magnet, and thereafter by means of associated electrical circuits a trunk bar of an idle trunk will be operated to cause the .bar on the contrary I cause to be held in its operated position for the full conversational eriod.

.Assumin now that the plug carriage, such as A having been operated to cause a connection to beestablished, it is desired to terminate this connection, the same will be accomplished by deenergizmg the magnet DM which will thereupon release the vertical trunk rod D, and the same will be propelled upward to its normal position by the power of the sprin TS. In the upwardmotlon of the rod D t e operated plug carriage AC will be propelled back to its normal osition by the extension Y of the collar of the trunkrod exerting a cam action on the inclined side of the V shapedextension K of the plug carriage, thus pro pelling the plug carriage so that the plugs 2, 3 and 4 are removed from engagement with the jack s rings; the pin AK of the line bar Wlll ri e on the inclined surface of the slot Z of the plug carriage causing a momentary motion of the line bar AR to its fully operated position, and then the pin AK drops into the recess 2 of the slot Z, which is its normal unoperated position. The above restoring action presupposes a with each of the trunk bars and operate to open and close electrical contacts whenever the trunk bars are operated. These perform functions in the operation of the circuits involved in the use of this switch. Like sets of spring contacts are shownat L, for the line bars for similar purposes.

Although I have descrlbed the switch of my invention as being operatedin a certain way, it is obvious it may be operated in various other ways and which are contemplated 1n this disclosure. And it is understood that other numerous and extensive departures may be made from the same without departing from the spirit of my invention, but what I claim as my invention is defined in the following claims:

1. In a telephone switch, the combination of two sets of bars, the bars of one set being disposed at an angle to the bars of the second set, a pair of contact springs, a panel bank, the said pair of contact springs being rigidly mounted in the said panel bank, a plug carriage, a metallic plug in said carriage, and means independent of said sets of bars to cause the said plug carriage to convey the said plug to a position between the said springs, to interconnect the said springs,'the said means being conditioned to operate by the .conjoint operation of a bar of each set.

2. In. a telephone -switch, the combination of two sets of bars, the bars of one set being disposed at an angle to the bars of the second set, a pair of contact springs arranged in a panel adjacent to. each intersection of the bars of the two sets, a plug carriage for each pair of contact springs carrying a metallic plug, and a spring to move the said plug carriage to convey the said plug to interconnect the said springs, the said springs being conditioned to operate by the' conjoint operationof a bar of each set.

'3. In a telephone switch, the combination of two sets of bars, the bars of one set being vertically mounted and thebars of the second set horizontally mounted, a pair of contact springs, a panel bank, the said pair of contact springs being rigidly mounted in the said panel bank, a plug carriage carrying a metallic plug mounted adjacent to the said pair of contact springs, but normally out of contact therewith, and propelling means independent of said sets of bars conditioned to operate by the conjoint operation of a bar of each set to convey the said plug to a gpring interconnectingposition.

4. n a telephone switch, the combination of a set of horizontal and a set of vertical bars, the horizontalbars being capable of momentary operation and the vertical bars being capable of continuous operation, a

pair of contact springs mounted in an insulated panel bank, a plug carriage, carrying a metallic plug arranged in proximity to the said contact springs, an propelling means to propel the said plug carriage to a spring operating position, the said propelling means being conditioned to operate by the conjoint operation of a bar of each set, and controlling means for the vertical bar of the set to cause the said vertical bar to thereafter hold the said plug carriage in its operated position.

5. In a telephone switch, the combination of a set of horizontal and a set of vertical bars, plug carriages mounted in a frame adjacent the intersections of the said bars, a anel bank, flexible contact springs mountecFtherein, a pair of the said contact springs being arranged in proximity to each of the said plug carriages, relatively rigid insulated metallic plugs carried by each of the said plug carriages, and adapted when the same are operated to interconnect the associated pair of contact sprin and propelling means for each of the said plug carriages conditioned to operate the same by the conjoint momentary operation of a bar of each set, one of the operated bars being adapted to maintain an operated plug carriage in its operated position when in its operated position, and to restore the said plug carriage when the said bar is restored to its normal position.

6. In a telephone switch, the combination with an insulating jack panel therefor, a plurality of sets of flexible jack springs mounted rigidly in the said panel, a plurality of plug carriages for the said switch, each carrying rigid metallic plugs, propelling means individual to" each of the plug carriages, two sets of controlling bars, the bars of one set being disposed at an angle to the bars of the second set, the conjoint operation of a bar of each set: conditioning the said propelling means to operate the said plug carriage, to plunge the said plugs between the jack springs of a set arranged in proximity thereto, to interconnect the contacting springs.

7 In a telephone switch, the combination with a plurality of flexible contact springs arranged in pairs, a spring propelled switching member for each pair, a group of longitudinally movable bars, a second group of bars arranged at right-angles to the first group of bars, and an interlocking mechamsm between the said switching member,

and a bar of each group to maintain the saidv switching member in its normal position, and when said bars are operated to release the said switch member to operate the associated pair of contact springs.

8. In a telephone switch, the combination of sets of intersecting bars, contact sets at the intersections of the said bars, operating members adjacent to the said contact sets, unlocking members carried by a bar of one of the sets to conditionally unlock all the associated operating members, an unlocking member for an intersecting bar of the other set to completely unlock a commonly associated operating member, and means individual to the said operating member to cause it to thereupon operate the ad jacent contact set.

9. In a telephone switch, the combination of setsof intersecting bars, contact sets at the intersections of the said bars, an operating member adjacent to each of the said contact sets, an unlocking member carried by a bar of one of the sets to conditionally unlock its associated operating members, an unlocking member carried by a bar of the other set to complete the unlocking of a commonly associated operating member, means individual to the said operating member .to cause it to thereupon operate the adjacent contact set, and an additional locking member carried b the last-named bar to lock all other assoclated operating members, not common to both operated bars.

10. In a telephone switch, the combination of sets of intersecting longitudinally displaceable bars, contact springs adjacent and individual to said bars, respectively, plugs arranged for rectilinear movement at the intersections of the said bars tocause interconnection of the contact springs individual to the one setof bars to the springs individual to the other set of bars whereby the successive operation of a bar of each set in a definite order only will permit the actua- Zion of the plug at the intersection of the ars.

11. In a telephone switch, the-combination with a plurality of displaceable bars divided into two groups, the bars of one groups being arranged at an angle to the bars of the. second group, a plug and jack switch associated with each bar intersection, and means arrangedffor rectilinear movment whereby the actuation of abar of each group in a definite order only will selectively operate plug and jack switch contbacts remote from the intersection of the said 115 ars.

12. In a telephone switch, the combination of sets of intersecting bars, contact sets at the intersections of the said bars, a plug operating member adjacent to the said con- 12 tact sets, an unlocking member carried by a bar of one set to conditionally unlock the operating member, an unlocking member carried by a bar of the other set to complete the unlocking of a commonly associated op- 125 erating member, means individual to the said operating member to cause it to thereupon operate the adjacent contact set, and an additional locking member flexibly secured to the last-named bar to lock all other 130 operating members associated with the lastnamed bar. 13. In a telephone switch, the combination of sets of intersecting bars, contact sets at the intersections of the said bars, a contact operating member adjacent to the said contact sets, an unlocking member carried by a bar of one of the sets to conditionally unlock the 0 crating member, an unlocking member earned by a bar. of the other set to complete the unlockin' of a commonly associated operating member, means individual to the said operatin member to cause it to thereupon operate t e adjacent-contact set, an additional locking member flexibly secured to the last-named bar to look all other operating members associated with the lastnamed bar, and a locking member flexibly secured to the last-named bar to lock an unconditioned associated operating member.

14. In a telephone switch, the combination of sets of intersecting bars, contact sets at the intersections ofthe said bars, a contact operating member. adjacent tothe said contact sets, an unlocking member carried by abar of one of the sets to conditionally unlock the operating member an unlocking member carried by a bar of the other set to complete the unlocking of a commonly assotime operating member, means individual to the said operating member to cause it. to thereupon operate the adjacent contact set, an additional locking member flexibly secured to the last-named bar to lock an associatedunconditioned operating member, the unlocking member of the last-named bar being adapted to engage the said operating member to restore the same to its normal position when the last-named bar is restored to normal.

15. In a telephone switch, the combination with a plurality of displaceable bars, arranged in two groups, the bars of the second group being arranged at an angle to the bars of the first group, contact sets arranged at the intersections'of the bars, an operating member for each of the contact sets adapted to operate by the conjoint displacement of a bar of each set, the said operating member operating without partaking of the motion of either of the 'said bars, and, being restored to normal independent of the position of the bar of one set under the sole control of the bar of the other set.

tion with a plurality of displaceable bars arranged in a group, a second group of displaceablebars arranged at an angle-to the 16. In a telephone switch, the combina- I to normal independent of the position of the bar of one set under the sole control of the bar of the other set.

17. In a telephone switch, the combination with a plurality of displaceable bars divided into two groups, the bars of one group being arranged at an angle to the bars of the second group, and means whereby the actuation of a plurality of bars of one group and a successive actuation of a bar of the second group will operate plug and jack switches at the intersections of the said bars.

18. In a telephone switching mechanism, the combination with a terminal bank, of a plurality of sets of contact terminals arranged in horizontal rows, a plurality of rows of contact terminals of another group" arranged at right angles to the rows of the first group, the last-named terminals comprising extensions of unitary metallic strips, the terminals of the one grou being ar-. ranged adjacent to terminals 0 the second group, a plurality ofdisplaceable bars arranged in a group, a second group of displaceable bars arranged at an angle to the bars of the first group, each of the said bars corresponding to an associated row of contact terminals, and an operating member for each set of the adjacent terminals comprising terminals of the two groups, ,,the said.

operating member being adapted to operate by the conjoint displacement ofa bar of each set, to interconnect said adjacent ter minals of said set. I

19. In" combination, non-self-restoringswitching devices, movable bars, operating links controlled by the common operation of said bars to actuate said switching de vices, electromagnetic means for each of the bars adapted on energi'zation to operate the said bars, and restoring means. for each of the said switching devices operative upon denergization of an associated bar electromagnetic means. p

20. In combination, non-self-restoring- '110 switching devices, movable bars, operating links controlled by joint operation of said bars to move said switching devices to closed circuit position, and means for actuating one of said movable bars, to restore the said movable bar and the switching device operated thereby to normal or open circuit position.

21. In combination, switching devices which are not self-restoring, movable bars, operating -1inks controlled by joint 0 eration of said bars, to move said switc ing devices from their normal position, electromagnetic means for moving one of said movable bars, and restoring means for said 126 switching devices operative upon thedeenergization of said electromagnetic means.

22. In an electrical switch mechanism, the combination of sets of intersecting bars, contact springs adjacent to the intersections of' the said bars, contact spring actuating means therefor,gand means whereby the longitudinal displacement of a bar of each set will actuate the spring contact actuating means to cause interconnection between the different springs of a set of contact springs, the said act of interconnection being accompanied by frictional contact of the surfaces of the said contact springs.

23. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a bank of contact sets, each contact set comprising a contact of two different classes, a connection effecting member for each set of contacts adapted by a longitudinal movement to eflect connection between the contact of the one class and the contact of the other class of contacts, a movable operating bar for each class of contacts,

' said connection effecting member being unfer the conjoint control of both of the said ars.

24. In combination, switching devices, a set of bars movable in one direction, a second set of bars movable in another direction operating links mounted independently oi said switching devices, means under the control of a bar of each set for moving the said operating links by a rectilinear movement to operate the said switching devices.

25 In combination, switching devices, a set of bars movable in one direction, a second set of bars movable in another direction, operating means for. each of said sets of bars, operating links mounted independently of said switching devices, said links not partaking of the motion of said sets off bars.

26. In, combination, switching devices, a

set of bars movable in one direction, a second set of bars movable in another direction, operating means for each of said sets of bars, operating links mounted independently of said switching devices, said links not partaking of the motion of either of said bars.

27. In combination, switching devices, a. set of movable bars arran ed in one plane, a second set of movable ars arranged in planes intersecting said first plane, movable links forming intersecting sections for said bars of different planes, said links being controlled by COIIJOlIllZ operation of said movable bars, a magnet to operate each of the said bars, propelling means for the said links, said propelling means propelling the said links to actuate said switching devices without partaking of the motion communicated to any of the said bars by the said magnets.

28. In combination, a set of longitudinally movable bars, a second set of longitudinally movable bars, contact terminals 1 remote from the bars of each set, switching devices for connecting said contact'terminals, operating links controlled by conjoint operation of a bar of each set to selectively operate one of the said switching devices and propelling means for said links independent of said bars.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my7name this 2nd day of November, A. D, 191

FRANK swoon, 

